Follow Your Appetite in New Hampshire

Sponsored by VisitNH

New Hampshire may sit between two of New England’s highest-profile culinary cities, but it’s no drive-through when it comes to gastro-tourism. In communities big and small, Granite State chefs and entrepreneurs are creating Main Street dining scenes that invite your taste buds to explore. From global flavors to local coastal fare — and everything in between — these lively downtowns represent what’s cooking in New Hampshire right now.

EXETER

With America’s 250th birthday just around the corner next year, visitors are sure to make a beeline to Exeter, home of the American Independence Museum. Yet even as history buffs salivate over this treasure trove of Revolutionary War artifacts and stories, they’ll be in the middle of a modern food scene that is truly mouthwatering.

The experts at the James Beard Awards have taken note, honoring two Exeter chefs in recent years. You’ll find the culinary creations of 2023 semifinalist Paul Callahan at Vino e Vivo (and even see the magic up close by booking the exclusive two-person Chef’s Table), complemented by wines from around the world curated by owner Tony Callendrello. Just up the street is Otis Restaurant, whose chef-owner, Lee Frank, is a two-time semifinalist offering a seasonally inspired five-course tasting menu that changes every week.

Casual fare shines bright in Exeter, too — possibly thanks to the appetites of students at the town’s famous prep school, Phillips Exeter Academy. The Thai-influenced Oba Noodle Bar serves up soul-fueling curries, soups, and other savory Asian entrees, while Street offers a global sampling of street food, from the Middle East to Mexico. The Big Bean Kitchen & Bar specializes in all things breakfast (even the dinner menu includes French toast), but for a quick caffeine hit, consider Flamingo’s Coffee Bar, known for indulgent lattes in flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Dubai Chocolate.

Artisan food makers have also staked their claim here. Me & Ollie’s mills the flour from organically grown wheat that goes into its fresh-baked breads and pastries; sandwiches feature scratch-made spreads and regional ingredients (like eggs from a farm in nearby Stratham). Gluten-free is the focus of Million Things Baking Co., a small, woman-owned bakery whose muffins and whoopie pies can be found at local coffee shops. Speaking of sweets: Exeter’s own Enna Chocolate was recently named a Yankee Food Awards winner. Its production facility boasts an on-site café — meaning you can pull up a chair and savor small-batch chocolate that was crafted just steps away.

MANCHESTER

The Queen City has often taken center stage in the story of New Hampshire. It was once the site of the world’s largest textile mill complex, and its famous residents have included everyone from Adam Sandler to Revolutionary War general John Stark, who coined the state’s “Live Free or Die” motto. Today, the state’s largest city continues to earn its place in the spotlight with a downtown dining scene that has it all: depth, excellence, and lots of gems.

Carnivores will delight in the award-winning Hanover Street Chop House, which pairs top-quality steaks and chops with gourmet add-ons like truffle butter and bacon maple bourbon jam. For seafood lovers, Osaka is a standout: Alongside sushi-bar classics are tasty inventions such as the New Hampshire roll, featuring spicy tuna topped with lobster salad, avocado, and flying fish roe. More of a pizza fan? 900 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria uses a Naples-inspired wood-burning brick oven to create crisp-chewy pies that run the gamut from traditional pizza Margherita to combos that might include, say, mac and cheese or Granny Smith apples and candied walnuts.

Historic architecture goes hand in hand with modern cuisine at two of the city’s best-known New American restaurants. Chef Jeffrey Paige chose the Historic Millyard District for his restaurant, Cotton, named in honor of Manchester’s textile heritage. Opened in 2000, it quickly won a following with its upscale, farm-to-table comfort food (think: grilled Atlantic salmon with local maple-cranberry butter). A renovated 19th-century storefront, meanwhile, is now home to Firefly Bistro & Bar, which has an all-day menu and a serious brunch game — try the fried green tomato Benedict topped with sriracha hollandaise sauce.

In town to catch a concert at SNHU Arena? Or some minor-league baseball action at Delta Dental Stadium? Downtown options abound for pre-show drinks and post-game beers, including craft-cocktail specialist StashBox and the state’s first brewpub, Stark Brewing Company— whose name taps into the independent spirit of Manchester’s own Revolutionary War hero.

KEENE

The epitome of Main Street USA can be found in the heart of New Hampshire’s scenic, largely rural southwest corner. The sole “big city” (population 23,000) in the Monadnock Region, Keene boasts the widest paved Main Street in the world. This tree-lined thoroughfare and the surrounding blocks are dotted with local businesses including several restaurants, pubs, and cafés, whose offerings stack up as refreshingly diverse.

Global flavors are well represented by Curry Indian Restaurant, Tito’s Taqueria, and Thai Garden, while the all-American crowd will enjoy the nostalgic vibe at Lindy’s Diner, opened in 1961, and the piled-high creations of Local Burger (like their signature sandwich: double beef patties with two kinds of cheese, bacon, mushrooms, onions, and red peppers). Handcrafted bread made with wheat from New England farms is the attraction at Fire Dog Breads, which also turns its artisan loaves into specialty sandwiches at its bakery-café. Right across the street from Fire Dog is a go-to refueling spot for Keene State College students: Brewbakers, a cozy-boho hangout known for its house-roasted, organic, fair-trade coffee.

If you’re traveling with kids, make time to stop in at Life is Sweet before wrapping up your day in Keene. Marking its 20th anniversary next year, this family-owned sweet shop invites wide-eyed youngsters to take their pick from homemade fudge, maple candy, cupcakes, ice cream, and more — though it’s the nearly 300 jars stuffed with bulk candy favorites that usually steals the show.

For more New Hampshire travel ideas and visitor information, go to VisitNH.gov.

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